Hundreds of demonstrators flooded the streets of Dakar on Saturday, demanding President Macky Sall to announce a date for electing his successor before his term concludes on April 2.
Sall’s decision to postpone the scheduled February 25 vote has ignited one of Senegal’s most severe political crises, drawing widespread criticism and uproar from the public.
Despite the Constitutional Council’s ruling to expedite the election, President Sall seems reluctant to act swiftly. He has deferred setting a date until after engaging with political and social stakeholders starting Monday, aiming for an agreement by late Tuesday.
This uncertainty has left Senegalese citizens in limbo, fueling a strong desire for prompt elections and sparking political unrest.
Over the weekend, hundreds responded to the F24 opposition’s call to gather in Dakar, echoing chants for elections and decrying Sall’s leadership.
“I am demonstrating for one thing: the release of (jailed opposition leader Ousmane) Sonko,” voiced 34-year-old protester Ibrahim Niang, emphasizing widespread grievances.
In an apparent attempt to appease public dissent, Sall hinted at potential measures like provisional releases, pardons, or amnesty laws for detained opposition figures, including Sonko and his deputy.
President Sall attributes the election delay to disputes over candidate disqualifications and concerns about potential unrest, echoing events from previous years.
Despite his invitation for dialogue, most presidential candidates and a significant civil society collective have refused to participate, insisting on setting a date before April 2 to avoid a constitutional crisis.
The rejection of Sall’s dialogue offer by the Aar Sunu Election collective, comprising 40 Senegalese civil society groups, underscores the growing skepticism and frustration among the populace.
The opposition has labeled Sall’s eleventh-hour decision to delay the vote as a “constitutional coup,” alleging fear of electoral defeat within his party.
The ongoing election chaos has disrupted Senegal’s traditionally stable political landscape, resulting in escalating unrest and casualties.
